This watercolour is the only surviving image of the Armoury at Carlton House where, as Prince of Wales and then Prince Regent, George IV (1762–1830) collected an astonishing array of armours, weapons and militaria. Visible are a pikeman's armour, the mounted Indian armour of Tipu Sultan, and two miniature cannon, all of which are still in the Royal Collection. The room was one of several making up the Armoury.

The Prince's interests and the range of his collection were all-embracing. European armours cohabited with North American tomahawks, Indian elephant goads, Japanese swords, Malayan krises and African bows and arrows. One observer wrote that ‘so extensive and multifarious are the objects of this museum, that to be justly appreciated it must be seen’.

In 1811 the Prince was installed as Regent and celebrated with a number of fêtes and gatherings at Carlton House. One account of these festivities describes a footman performing his duties wearing full-plate armour.